Late 2017, during a long weekend, Ed and I flew to North Africa to visit an ancient wonder! Egypt has been on our travel plans for so long... way before we created our 20 before 2020 list. So, yes, we were beyond thrilled to make that trip happen!

While sharing snippets of our #SweetEscapesinEgypt on Insta, I came to know that it is not only us who have this lifelong dream of seeing the pyramids. I have received lots of inquiries from fellow Dubai expats and travelers since our trip, so this travel guide is better late than never! :)

Here are the things to know before you go to Cairo:

Visa

Philippine passport holders need to apply for a tourist visa before traveling to Egypt. Since we are based in Dubai, we went to the Consulate General of Egypt in Umm Hurair 1 a month before our scheduled departure. Visa processing was smooth. After four working days, we got our passports; each stamped with a tourist visa valid for 30 days.

Egypt currency is called Egyptian Pound. The exchange rate is 1 AED to 4.86 EGP at the time of writing. We opted to have our money changed inside Cairo International Airport as we arrived late in the evening. Some establishments (our hotel in Giza and restaurants in Cairo) also accept UAE Dirhams and credit card payments.

Language

While Arabic is Egypt's official language, people who work in the hospitality industry can communicate well in English.

Weather

The weather in Egypt is typically warm and sunny. The temperature cools down and tourism peaks up during the mild winter months. We visited Cairo in late November and the climate was perfect. It was chilly early in the morning and at night, but pleasant for sightseeing at midday.

One sunny November day in Egypt

What To Pack

Ladies, it is important to wear modest clothes while traveling in Cairo; especially if you intend to visit religious sites. Pack clothes you can layer when visiting during winter as the temperature can drop to 10 deg Celcius in the evening.

Be culturally sensitive! Do not wear clothes showing off too much skin in Cairo!

Transportation

From the airport: Our hostel offered free pick up from Cairo International Airport. Taxis are also available outside the arrival hall, but you have to negotiate the price or trust the meter.

Getting around Cairo and beyond: On the first half of our trip, we explored Giza and Cairo with a tour guide. Having a private car is convenient, especially if you want to see the attractions located on the outskirts. But on the second half, we pretty much relied on Uber. We booked rides through the app and visited the sites not included in our guided tour. It's actually fun (and liberating) to see a new city on your own! And having the chance to chitchat with the local drivers add up to the experience!

Tip: Plate numbers are in Arabic. So have a crash course in Arabic numerals (or better google it and screenshot) to easily identify your Uber car!

This golden statue welcomed us to Cairo!

Where We Stayed

While most tourists prefer to stay in Cairo, we chose to stay in Giza. The neighborhood is heavily-populated and dotted with tourist traps, but we want nothing but to wake up to the sight of the Ancient Wonder in the morning. Because, hey, that's what we came for! Hence, we booked a reasonably-priced hotel right across the gates of the Pyramids Sound and Light Show.

We stayed at the Great Pyramid Inn. It is a humble hotel surrounded by a local community. The vibe is homey. Breakfast is traditional. View is ahhh-mazing! We don't have to purchase tickets for the Sound and Light Show as it can be viewed on the hotel terrace for free!

Our room in Great Pyramid Inn

Breakfast with a view!

Top Sights to Visit

Pyramids of Giza: the only surviving Ancient Wonder of the World

Sphinx: A human-headed lion seemingly guarding the tombs and temples in the Giza Plateau

Saqqara: where the Step Pyramid, the oldest pyramid in Egypt, is located

Cairo Citadel: Located on Mokkatam Hill, this medieval fortification has historic mosques and museums.

Cairo Tower: The tallest building in Cairo offers great views of the metropolis from the observation deck.

Khan El Khalili: a traditional open-air market in Cairo where you can buy souvenir items

Giza Plateau can be very crowded. So take care of your belongings. Listen to your tour guide. And as much as possible, refuse photo requests from the locals. It's harmless, but if you say yes to one then a crowd will follow!

Food To Try

Falafel: patty made of ground chickpeas and spices (We had the best one in Felfela restaurant in Downtown Cairo.)

Kofta: ground beef or lamb shaped like a sausage, skewered and grilled

Fattah: layers of fried bread, rice, and meat

Ful: mashed fava beans

Umm Ali: super moist and creamy bread pudding

I fell in love with Egyptian food! I wouldn't get tired of falafel and hibiscus tea!

Our Itinerary and Expenses

Tours and transportation which are pre-booked and paid in advance are in AED and USD. Expenses during the trip (food and souvenirs) are in EGP. All prices stated in this blog post are of November 2017.

Day 0: Hello, Cairo!

Time

Activity

Expenses

20:50

Flight to Cairo

1,000 AED

Regular rate of airlines ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 AED per person.

23:05

Arrival in Cairo International Airport

Complimentary pick up

Past midnight

Check-in at Great Pyramid Inn

450 AED for 3 nights

Booked 1 month before our travel date.

Day 1: The Ancient Wonder Upclose

Time

Activity

Expenses

7:30

Breakfast in Great Pyramid Inn

Complimentary

8:30 to 17:30

Day tour to Giza Pyramids, Memphis, Sakkara and Dahshur Pyramids with lunch

Add-on expenses:

Tour fee: 93.5 USD / 381 AED for 2 people

Booked through Emo Tours website. Paid in advance.

Tripod Fee in Giza Plateau: 20 EGP

Camel Ride to the spot where we can view the 9 pyramids: 350 EGP per person

Lunch drinks: 60 EGP

Souvenirs (Papyrus and Perfume): 1700 EGP

20:00

Dinner in Great Pyramid Inn while viewing the Pyramids Light and Sound Show for free